About Rhythm & Grace, Dance for PD® ClassesIn Rhythm and Grace or Movin' with Parkinson's dance classes, participants explore movement and music in ways that are enjoyable, stimulating and creative. Dance is appropriate for anyone with PD, no matter how advanced, although no dance experience is required. In chairs, at a barre or moving across the floor, you will explore elements of modern dance, ballet, tap, folk and social dancing in a non-pressured, social environment in which music energizes, enriches and empowers.

Dance for PD® is a unique collaboration between the Mark Morris Dance Group and the Brooklyn Parkinson Group. The program is built onone fundamental premise: professionally trained dancers are movement experts whose knowledge is useful to persons with PD. Dancers know all about stretching and strengthening muscles, and about balance and rhythm. Classes modeled after Dance for PD now occur in more than 40 communities in the US, Canada, Italy, India, Israel, UK and Germany.

"Just think about it! Exercising this aging body with dance movements accompanied by show music or ballet. Opening my arms and heart to embrace the music pouring into my soul to smooth my muscles. I am enriched, delighted, and transformed." - Paul Browne

It's National Parkinson's Awareness Month. Share your story with your community and raise awareness. Below is a sample Letter to the Editor for you to use.

To the Editor:

One million Americans are living with Parkinson’s disease - 17,000 of them live in Colorado. Chances are every Coloradan knows someone who has been affected by Parkinson’s, a progressive neurological disease that robs individuals of control over their movements.

April is Parkinson’s disease awareness month. While there is not a cure for Parkinson’s disease, great strides are being made into the cause and treatment of this disease. I would like to urge Coloradans to learn more about this disease and support the services of organizations such as the Parkinson’s Association of the Rockies.

[Insert Your Story Here]

For more information, please contact the Parkinson Association of the Rockies at (303) 830-1839 or www.ParkinsonRockies.org.